Meet The Caruso Real Estate Group

Michael Caruso

Broker Associate, Executive Director

After more than three decades as a top-producing real estate agent and two decades running his own successful real estate brokerage, Michael Caruso has embarked upon a new chapter in his legacy career as a broker associate with The Agency.

Fast approaching $1 Billion in closed real estate sales, Michael has earned a reputation as one of Orange County’s foremost brokers. Working alongside his wife Cristina and son Phillip, Michael specializes in pairing families and individuals with exceptional homes that meet their lifestyle criteria for luxury coastal real estate. An Orange County resident for the past 30 years, Michael draws upon his extensive local knowledge, comprehensive understanding of construction design and talent for tracking the latest design trends to serve as a trusted advocate for a wide-ranging clientele.

Michael began his real estate career in development and property management in Florida. After moving to California in 1976, he joined forces with several coastal real estate firms and quickly ranked among the top 100 agents worldwide for sales and service. He then founded and operated his own independent real estate firm in Orange County for nearly 20 years, with hundreds of millions in personal closed sales. Recognized for his unique, customer-centric approach, Michael has successfully represented buyers and sellers from Santa Monica and the Hollywood Hills to Orange County and San Diego. His unrelenting focus, easygoing nature and penchant for overcoming each challenge that comes his way have always been the foundation of his success.

A Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist, Michael has served the real estate industry as President of the Orange County Association of Realtors and is an ardent community volunteer. He devotes his time and resources to local and distant building projects with Habitat for Humanity and is an ambassador for ocean clean up with 4Ocean. When he’s not serving his clients or at the office, he enjoys early morning tennis matches, high intensity boot camp workouts, kayaking, and paddle boarding in the Dana Point and Newport Beach harbors as well as local fishing.

Phillip Caruso

Broker Associate, Sales Partner

A second-generation agent, Phillip Caruso grew up in a family immersed in the world of real estate, learning the ins and outs of the business from his father, Michael Caruso, one of Orange County’s foremost real estate brokers. Having established himself among the area’s most promising agents, Phillip brings his creativity, integrity and keen eye for design to The Agency.

Representing luxury coastal real estate across Orange County, including Monarch Beach, Laguna Beach and Newport Beach, Phillip specializes in pairing families, individuals, and investors with exceptional homes. Honest, committed and optimistic by nature, he is considered one of Orange County’s youngest rising stars in the luxury real estate market, on track to be named one of the top 30 realtors under 30 in the nation.

Phillip received his Broker license at the exceedingly early age of 23, quickly finding his passion for architecture, design and developing. Phillip established himself as an investment analyst at a local commercial real estate firm while underwriting and marketing a multitude of apartment buildings. Along with representing buyers and sellers, Phillip began his residential career working with investors to rehabilitate properties along the Orange County coast. Highly skilled at identifying and underwriting value-add projects, Phillip often represents developers and clients in the purchase and sale of a home, advising on design and build from inception to completion.

A native of Laguna Niguel, Phillip is passionate about coastal preservation and enjoys working with Surfrider Foundation, as well as Habitat for Humanity and World Care. When he’s not serving his clients in real estate, he cherishes time with his family and friends, golfing, surfing and playing guitar. Phillip holds a BA in Regional Development & Sustainability with a Minor in Business Management from The University of Arizona.

Cristina Caruso

Sales Partner, Se Habla Español

With more than two decades of real estate experience and a reputation as one of Laguna Niguel’s foremost real estate experts, Cristina Caruso brings her energy, tenacity and extensive industry knowledge to The Agency.

Working closely with her husband, real estate veteran Michael Caruso, and son Phillip, Cristina joins The Agency after 18 successful years with her family’s residential real estate brokerage in Orange County. Together with her husband, she has sold more homes in Ocean Ranch and Bear Brand than any company or agent and is fast approaching $1 Billion in closed sales.

Specializing in pairing families with homes that meet their lifestyle criteria for luxury coastal living, Cristina draws upon her extensive knowledge of local schools, recreational facilities, shopping destinations and transportation corridors to help find the right fit for each and every client. A longtime resident of Laguna Niguel and Dana Point, Cristina specializes in showing, selling and staging residential properties in Orange County, as well as Los Alamitos, Lakewood, Huntington Beach, and her hometown of Long Beach. Known for her honesty, creativity and sharp attention to detail, Cristina leverages her background in marketing and extensive local knowledge to serve a diverse and distinguished clientele with The Agency.

Fluent in Spanish, Cristina is a graduate of Cal State Long Beach and Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising with a degree in marketing. When she’s not serving her clients in real estate, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, going to the movies and working out. She is active with Habitat for Humanity and her local church and youth groups.

Andrea Caruso

Commercial Real Estate Affiliate at Stream

Andrea has held a Real Estate License since 2006, specializing in business development and marketing. Ms. Caruso has a BS in Marketing from the W.P. Carey School of Business at ASU where she graduated with summa cum laude. Her creativity, nurturing spirit and keen intellect fit perfectly within the Full Service professional environment offered to clients at The Caruso Real Estate Group. Andrea also helps with marketing, and handles the public relations for the team.

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